Friday, May 04, 2012

Cardinal Brady denies he offered to step down

CARDINAL Sean Brady has rejected a report that he offered to step down over the Brendan Smyth affair two years ago.

In a statement, the Cardinal said the report in the Irish Independent “seems to confuse” an announcement he made in May 2010 requesting episcopal support: “I have asked Pope Benedict XVI for additional support for my work, at episcopal level”. 

However, he added no such offer of resignation was made.

“As stated on March 20 last, during the Bishops’ press conference in Maynooth to launch the Summary of the Findings of the Apostolic Visitation in Ireland, this request for episcopal help by Cardinal Brady was put on hold pending the outcome of the Apostolic Visitation, but it is has now been reactivated,” the statement added.